3.8 million car seats affected by Graco recall

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The thought of not being able to grab your child and pull them out of your burning or wrecked car is what terrifies parents about the Graco toddler and booster seats recall.

Problems with the harness buckle have led to the recall of 3.8 million seats. The red release button in the center of the buckle is very difficult to maneuver. Some parents say it's impossible to unlatch posing the threat of not being able to get a child out in an emergency.

Graco says the problem occurs because food and liquids get stuck in the buckle making it hard to release.

Graco is offering new harness buckles, free of charge, to customers affected. They can call 800-345-4109 or emailing consumerservices@gracobaby.com. However, some customers say even with the new buckle it's not worth the risk.

"Yeah I don't think I want to risk that chance," said Janice Kim. "We may have to look at something else."

Sharon Rengers with the Office of Child Advocacy at Kosair Children's Hospital said they've seen problems with Graco's buckles but thought they were caused by items being lodged in them.

"We find lots of people who have the little crackers in their buckles, M&Ms, pennies, all kinds of stuff," Rengers said. "If you give your kid something to eat it may end up in their buckle so you need to look at every buckle, not just Graco's."

Rengers said the most important thing is that a seat is better than no seat. Parents need to make sure their child is in at least in a car seat no matter what brand they choose.